Baccalaureate basics: what’s new in this senior week tradition

May 7, 2013 at 9:35 pm

Beloit’s Baccalaureate has been a tradition almost as long as Commencement—it’s been around since 1851, according to College Archivist Fred Burwell.

Though the event has evolved tremendously since then, it still remains an essential part of Beloit’s senior week, right down to the comic routines, dances, musical performances, and, at times, belly dancing.

This year, Baccalaureate will take place Saturday (May 11) at 4:45 p.m. in Eaton Chapel. New to the program is a selection of work by senior artists, which will be displayed in the outdoor space between the chapel and the President’s House.

As usual, class officers will deliver the class gift, seniors will sing, dance, and read original prose; Director of Community-Based Learning Carol Wickersham will offer the keynote address, “What We Have Learned From You.” And what would be any Beloit event steeped in tradition without a rendition of Domine Salvum Fac? It will be sung immediately after the program, as everyone gathers around Rostra Beloitensia, the gift of the class of 1906.

Have family or friends who would love to be there, but can’t make it to Baccalaureate in person? Tell them they can watch it live atwww.beloit.edu/live.